Hlibok Named Chief of the FCC's Disability Rights Office

Washington, DC -- Gregory Hlibok, currently an attorney in the Disability Rights Office (DRO) in the Consumer and Governmental Affairs Bureau, has been named to head that office.

“Greg will be heading up the Disability Rights Office at a crucial time, as the FCC ramps up to implement the most significant disability law in two decades,” said FCC Chairman Julius Genachowski. “Greg possesses extensive knowledge in the field of telecommunications access for people with disabilities as well as the leadership qualities necessary to lead the office. He will be the first head of DRO who has a disability. Under his direction, the office will work to ensure that people with disabilities can share fully in the economic and social benefits of emerging 21st century technologies.”

Greg has been instrumental on a wide array of disability matters in DRO since 2001. He is known nationally for his role as spokesperson for the Deaf President Now movement in 1988, which led to the selection of Gallaudet University’s first deaf president. Gallaudet is the world's only university serving primarily deaf and hard of hearing students. At the FCC, he has taken the lead in several key rulemaking proceedings on telecommunications access for people with disabilities, including new initiatives on the National Broadband Plan. Greg now lives in Ellicott City, MD with his wife and four children, and also serves as the board president of his alma mater, Lexington School for the Deaf. He is a graduate of Gallaudet University and Hofstra Law School.

In addition to its new duties in implementing the new Act, the Disability Rights Office has responsibility for a variety of disability-related telecommunications matters, including telecommunications relay service (TRS), access to telecommunications equipment and services by persons with disabilities, access to emergency information, and closed captioning. DRO also provides expert advice and assistance to other Bureaus and Offices, consumers, and industry, in order to support the Commission's goal of increasing the accessibility of communications services and technologies for persons with disabilities.

New Deaf Church in Swartz Creek

On September 12, 2010 The Deaf Church at Cornerstone, Swartz Creek, Michigan will become Master's Hands Deaf Church. Master’s Hands Deaf Church will be a separate mission church planted by Cornerstone Baptist Church. Master’s Hands Deaf Church will no longer be in the Cornerstone Baptist Church building but in a separate building to the west. The address is 6273 Miller Rd., Swartz Creek, MI 48473.

Master's Hands Deaf Church is a congregation of Deaf and Hearing individuals started as a mission of Cornerstone Baptist Church with the purpose of bringing the Gospel of Jesus Christ to Deaf and Hard of Hearing individuals and families in the Flint Area.

Cornerstone Baptist Church had a Deaf Ministry for many years and will continue to serve the Deaf. The Deaf Church at Cornerstone began three years ago as a separate Deaf Church within Cornerstone Baptist Church. The focus was Deaf Worship, Sunday School and Bible study all of which is signed and not interpreted.

Master's Hands Deaf Church is a church where you come as you are and are welcome. We do not get hung up on what you look like. The number one goal is for all to have a relationship with Jesus Christ. Come expecting to exalt the risen Savior, praise and worship God, and study God's Word to learn God's plan for each person. The mission of Master’s Hands Deaf Church is to make sure all Deaf know of the salvation God offers through Jesus Christ and by His grace and how to live a victorious life in His Will.

Sunday, September 12, 2010 will be “Launch Sunday.” Deaf Sunday School starts with fellowship at 945am. Deaf Worship is at 11am. Bible Study is Wednesday at 630pm. If a hearing individual comes and is in need of a voice interpreter, please contact us and we will do our best to provide accommodations for you. Sunday evenings the service at Cornerstone Baptist Church will continue to be interpreted at 6pm and the Deaf are welcome to join our Hearing brothers and sisters in worship. Master's Hands Deaf Church does have child care and children's programs available with Cornerstone Baptist Church.

Governor Announces Appointments to Advisory Council on Deaf and Hard of Hearing

LANSING - Governor Jennifer M. Granholm today announced the following appointments to the Advisory Council on Deaf and Hard of Hearing:

Patrick Baker of West Bloomfield, director of labor relations for the Construction Association of Michigan, is appointed to represent deaf or hard of hearing persons for a term expiring January 18, 2013. He succeeds Michelle Graham whose term has expired.

Helen Boucher of Brighton, manager of community interpreting with the Communication Access Center, is appointed to represent individuals knowledgeable in the field of deafness for a term expiring January 18, 2013. She succeeds Debra Ann Self whose term has expired.

Liz Kobylak of Troy, hearing aid technician for Henry Ford Hospital-Lakeside, is appointed to represent deaf or hard of hearing persons for a term expiring January 18, 2011. She succeeds Brett Holt whose term has expired.

Helmi Lepisto of Rock, student aide and retired educator of the deaf and hard of hearing, is appointed to represent deaf or hard of hearing persons for a term expiring January 18, 2011. She succeeds Janet Haines whose term has expired.

Daniel McDougall of Ferndale, chair and associate professor of sign language studies with Madonna University, is appointed to represent individuals knowledgeable in the field of deafness for a term expiring January 18, 2012. He succeeds Celeste Johnson whose term has expired.

Brenda Neubeck of White Lake, Deaf H.E.A.L. program director for Deaf Community Advocacy Network, is appointed to represent deaf or hard of hearing persons for a term expiring January 18, 2012. She succeeds Brian Sheridan whose term has expired.

Laura Scott of Ann Arbor, parent consultant for the Early Hearing Detection and Intervention Program with the Michigan Department of Community Health, is appointed to represent individuals knowledgeable in the field of deafness for a term expiring January 18, 2012. She succeeds Deierdre Weir whose term has expired.

Larry Trayner of Royal Oak, processing clerk for the United States Postal Service, is appointed to represent deaf or hard of hearing persons for a term expiring January 18, 2012. He succeeds George Griffiths whose term has expired.

Melissa Whalen of Ann Arbor, clinical psychology doctoral fellow at Eastern Michigan University, is appointed to represent deaf or hard of hearing persons for a term expiring January 18, 2013. She succeeds Frank Bystrycki whose term has expired. Ms. Whalen is also designated to serve as chairperson of the council for a term expiring at the pleasure of the governor.

Tanya Wyatt-Dennis of Grosse Pointe Park, school and medical social worker, is appointed to represent deaf or hard of hearing persons for a term expiring January 18, 2013. She succeeds Brenda Cartwright whose term has expired.

Robert Anthony of Grand Rapids, supervisor of the Deaf and Hard of Hearing Program with Northview Public Schools, is reappointed to represent deaf or hard of hearing persons for a term expiring January 18, 2011.

Nancy Asher of Ypsilanti, executive director of the Michigan Association for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing, is reappointed to represent deaf or hard of hearing persons for a term expiring January 18, 2011.

Jill Gaus of Jackson, nurse and advocate for the hard of hearing, deaf and deaf-blind, is reappointed to represent deaf or hard of hearing persons for a term expiring January 18, 2012.

The Advisory Council on Deaf and Hard of Hearing assists the State Division on Deaf and Hard of Hearing in their mission to affirm the right of deaf and hard of hearing persons to secure effective communication. The council and the division work to provide technical support, information and referral services, and interpreter information and services to state constituents in need.

These appointments and reappointments are not subject to disapproval by the Michigan Senate.